- The Mi TV LUX Transparent Edition, Xiaomi's second OLED TV, sells for more than US$7,000
- Videos show that objects behind the TV are viewable even when images are showing on the display
Ever wished that you could see through the back of your TV while engrossed in your favourite show? Whether you want it or not, Xiaomi is already making transparent TVs a reality.
The 55-inch Mi TV LUX Transparent Edition will start shipping in China on August 16 for a price of 49,999 yuan (US$7,194). The main selling point, according to Xiaomi, is that it makes images look as if they're "floating in the air". During the launch event, CEO Lei Jun demonstrated the feature by placing one hand behind the TV while a virtual butterfly on the screen appeared to fly onto his palm.
The TV was announced as part of Xiaomi's 10th anniversary celebration. It's apparently designed to impress, and there's no question that it's attracting a lot of attention. The hashtag "Xiaomi transparent TV" was trending on Weibo on Wednesday morning. One Weibo user called it "good-looking" while another described it as "sci-fi".
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But despite the impressive looks, many people wondered why they would want to replace the TV they already own with one that's see-through.
"When the TV is transparent, are you watching TV or looking at the view outside the window through the TV?" one netizen asked.
"The Xiaomi transparent TV allows you to see the sockets and wires behind your TV more clearly so that you can organise them and wipe off the dust any time. It's really convenient," another quipped.
The comments might not be much of an exaggeration: on-site videos from the event show the TV looking very transparent. In one video from Chinese outlet Sina, an electric fan and several Xiaomi products can be seen through the screen while showing a Chinese drama.
Transparent displays have existed for years, but they're typically marketed for commercial use. Shops and museums, for example, might use them to overlay information about products and exhibits.
The concept is often associated with futuristic tech, which is probably why Marvel Studios has Tony Stark using fictional transparent phones from LG and Vivo in multiple films. In reality, though, efforts at putting transparent displays in consumer gadgets hasn't resulted in hit products.
Sony Ericsson, for instance, put one on the Xperia Pureness phone in 2009. The next year, Samsung showed off a laptop prototype with a transparent OLED screen. Neither caught on.
But Xiaomi doesn't seem to be emphasising the technology. Instead, the company described its new product as "not a TV, but an art piece". And while it still insisted that the TV is "perfect" for homes, it also suggested galleries, museums, shopping malls and theatres could be potential buyers.
On Tuesday, Xiaomi also unveiled a new flagship smartphone. The 5,299 yuan (US$762) Mi 10 Ultra doesn't have a transparent display, but it does boast a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has 120W wired charging, beating Chinese rival iQOO to the punch - the Vivo spin-off is slated to announce a phone with equally fast charging next week.
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